Week 3: Laying the Foundations of a Successful School Year

Happy Friday!

Thank you all for your continued hard work and dedication as we navigate the start of this school year. With new guidelines and rules from the department coming into play, your adaptability and commitment are more important than ever. September is a pivotal month, and having a strong start in our academic efforts will set the tone for the entire year. As we conduct our start-of-year screening assessments, the baseline performance data we gather will be critical in establishing our academic goals and ensuring we meet the needs of all our students. Your focus on these assessments and your unwavering support of our students are essential to achieving a successful year. Let us continue to work together to make this a remarkable year of growth and achievement.

Now we will look back at this week and look forward to September as we head into a long Labor Day Weekend!

Arkansas Teacher of the Year Visit

Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Beau McCastlain, paid a special visit to Mena Schools yesterday. As a Television Production teacher at DeQueen Schools, Beau has been recognized for his innovative approach to education and his commitment to student success. This year, he has stepped into a unique role as a non-voting advisory member of the state board of education, a responsibility that comes with his Teacher of the Year title. During his visit, Beau took the time to learn about the exceptional programs we offer at Mena Public Schools, with a particular interest in the success of our REACH program participants. He plans to share his observations with the board as he continues to visit schools across the state, especially those in Southwest Arkansas. His dedication to understanding and promoting educational excellence is truly inspiring, and we are proud to have had the opportunity to showcase our schools.

September

As we recognize September as Suicide Prevention Month, it is a crucial time to reflect on the importance of mental health awareness and the role we all play in supporting our students and colleagues. Our counselors have provided valuable training to equip each of us with the tools to identify and respond to signs of distress in those around us. Please remember the strategies you learned, such as recognizing warning signs, initiating supportive conversations, and knowing when and how to refer someone for additional help. By staying vigilant and compassionate, we can make a significant difference in the lives of our students and co-workers, ensuring that they feel supported and valued during challenging times.

September is also College Savings Month and the first full month of the school year; but, there are other important days in September to look ahead to.

* September 2: Labor Day

* September 8: International Literacy Day

* September 8: National Grandparents’ Day

* September 11: 9-11 Remembrance Day

* September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins (Sep. 15 – Oct. 15)

* September 17: Constitution Day

* September 17: International IT Professionals Day

* September 18: National School Backpack Awareness Day

* September 23-27: Celebrate Freedom Week

* September 25: #SeeSayDay (If You See Something, Say Something)

* September 27: National Teacher Assistants’ Day

Take Your Legislator to School Month

September is also Take Your Legislator to School Month in Arkansas, an opportunity for our local lawmakers to gain firsthand insight into the daily operations of our schools. With the 95th Arkansas General Assembly legislative session set to begin in January 2025, our legislators must understand the realities we face, as there are sure to be many bills affecting education. The decisions being made now will significantly impact all of us.

On Tuesday, August 20th, the Joint Education Committee of the House and Senate convened to discuss several key topics. The committee received reports from both the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Bureau of Legislative Research (BLR) on important issues such as Merit Pay, Teacher Recruitment and Retention, the Consumer Price Index, and health insurance recommendations. These findings will undergo further review, with the committee expected to provide funding recommendations in October. These are not the only issues our legislators will decide upon as the session draws near.

With education front and center for our legislators, this is an ideal time to invite them to visit our schools. Legislators like Representative John Maddox and Senator Terry Rice, who have shown strong support for our school and community, would undoubtedly appreciate the chance to see the impactful work happening in our classrooms, libraries, and laboratories.

DESE Rules Update

The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) met this week for final approval of the two rules below:

* DESE Rule Governing Public School Policies Relating to Overnight Travel and Use of Public School Lavatories

* DESE Rule Governing Educator Licensure

As part of the recently enacted state rules, there are important updates that all teachers need to be aware of, especially regarding the use of public school restrooms and the organization of overnight trips. These rules are designed to ensure the safety, privacy, and well-being of our students, and we all must understand and comply with them.

Restroom and Changing Area Usage:

The new rules require that all multiple occupancy restrooms and changing areas in public schools must be designated for exclusive use by either male or female students, as defined by the sex listed on their original birth certificate. Teachers and staff must ensure that students use the facilities designated for their sex, and any student who is unable or unwilling to use these designated facilities must be provided with reasonable accommodations, such as access to a single-occupancy restroom.

Importantly, the rules specify that accommodations cannot include access to a restroom or changing area designated for the opposite sex while members of that sex are present. Teachers should be vigilant in monitoring restroom usage to ensure compliance and prevent any potential violations.

Overnight Trips:

When organizing or supervising overnight trips, teachers must ensure that students share sleeping quarters only with members of the same sex or are provided with single-occupancy sleeping arrangements. Exceptions are made only if the student shares a room with a member of the opposite sex who is an immediate family member. Additionally, written authorization from a parent or legal guardian is required for any student under 18 participating in an overnight trip.

It is also important to note that there are significant penalties for non-compliance with these rules, including potential fines and sanctions. Therefore, teachers must strictly adhere to these guidelines and ensure that all arrangements comply with the new regulations.

Changes from Previous Years:

In previous years, the rules surrounding restroom usage and overnight trip arrangements were less rigid, with more flexibility allowed in accommodating students' individual needs and preferences. However, with the implementation of the new state rules, there is now a much stronger emphasis on strict adherence to sex-specific designations for restrooms and changing areas, as well as more stringent requirements for overnight trip accommodations.

These changes reflect a heightened focus on maintaining clear boundaries based on biological sex, as defined by the student's original birth certificate. The shift from a more inclusive approach to a strict, rule-based system underscores the importance of ensuring privacy and safety according to these new state mandates. Teachers and staff will need to adjust to these changes by closely following the new guidelines and being vigilant in their enforcement to avoid penalties and ensure compliance.

By understanding and adhering to these new regulations, we can ensure a safe and respectful environment for all students while fulfilling our legal responsibilities as educators. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the full details of these rules and reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification.

Closing

Tonight is the Bearcat Football season opener against DeQueen, and we encourage everyone to make the trip to support our team. It is a great opportunity to show your Bearcat pride and cheer on our athletes as they take the field. Our junior high and seventh-grade football teams set the tone with victories over DeQueen last night at home, so let us keep the momentum going. Join us in DeQueen tonight and be part of the excitement as we kick off the season!

If you are staying in town tonight, you can show your support for our students just as much by attending the Polk County Fair and the Junior Livestock Auction. Many of our Mena FFA and 4-H members have worked tirelessly throughout the spring and summer, and now they are ready to auction their winning livestock projects. This auction is a crucial opportunity for them to secure funding for future projects and to see the payoff for all their hard work. Your presence and support at the auction not only celebrate their achievements but also help ensure the continuation of these valuable educational experiences. Come out and support our local students as they showcase the results of their dedication and passion.

This week has been filled with victories for our volleyball, golf, and tennis teams. The volleyball team secured notable wins over Booneville, showcasing their strength and teamwork on the court. The tennis teams also had an outstanding performance, achieving a clean sweep against Fountain Lake. Additionally, our golf teams added to the success with strong showings in their matches. Congratulations to all our athletes for their dedication and hard work, and let us continue to support them as they build on this momentum.

It was a good week for us at Mena Public Schools!

At Mena Public Schools our students are prepared, our staff is supported, and our community is confident.

Have a nice Labor Day weekend!